Genetic approach identifies distinct asthma pathways in overweight vs normal weight children

The pathogenesis of asthma in the context of excess body weight may be distinct from asthma that develops in normal weight children. The study's objective was to explore the biology of asthma in the context of obesity and normal weight status using genetic methodologies. Associations between asthma and SNPs in 49 genes were assessed, as well as, interactions between SNPs and overweight status in child participants of the Greater Cincinnati Pediatric Clinic Repository. Asthma was significantly associated with weight (OR = 1.38; P = 0.037). The number of genes and the magnitude of their associations with asthma were notably greater when considering overweight children alone vs normal weight and overweight children together. When considering weight, distinct sets of asthma‐associated genes were observed, many times with opposing effects. We demonstrated that the underlying heterogeneity of asthma is likely due in part to distinct pathogenetic pathways that depend on preceding/comorbid overweight and/or allergy. It is therefore important to consider both obesity and asthma when conducting studies of asthma.     

Childhood appendicitis: factors associated with its incidence and perforation in Ethiopian children

Acute appendicitis is a common paediatric emergency necessitating surgical intervention. Factors contributing to the incidence of the disease and appendiceal perforation in all children with acute appendicitis admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia from Jan 1983 to December 1987 were studied. There were a total of 278 cases of appendicitis, with matched controls, seen. The incidence of perforation was 67%. Statistically significant differences between cases and controls were seen for the educational status of the parents (p less than .001), the parental income (p less than .001) and the nutritional status of the patient (p less than .001). The risk of perforation increased with increased duration of the illness. Perforation was common in children with normal height and better parental education. The incidence of appendicitis appears to be related to improved socioeconomic status. Prospective studies to examine this and other associations are warranted.     

Protein trans-splicing in transgenic plant chloroplast: reconstruction of herbicide resistance from split genes

Inteins are intervening protein sequences that undergo self-excision from a precursor protein with concomitant joining of the flanking sequences. Here, we demonstrate intein trans-splicing in Nicotiana tabacum chloroplasts by using the naturally split Ssp DnaE intein. Trans-splicing occurred whether both intein fragments were encoded in the chloroplast or were separated into the chloroplast and nuclear genomes. A biolistic approach was used to integrate two fusion genes, one encoding aminoglycoside-3-adenyltransferase (aadA) and the first 123 aa of the Ssp DnaE intein (In) and the other encoding 36 C-terminal amino acid residues of the Ssp DnaE intein (Ic) and soluble modified green fluorescent protein (smGFP) into N. tabacum plastids. Expression of these gene fragments in the chloroplast resulted in ligated aadA-smGFP due to In-Ic-mediated trans-splicing. Furthermore, an N-terminal portion of the herbicide resistance gene 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) containing a chloroplast localization signal fused to In (EPSPSn-In) was integrated into the nuclear DNA of N. tabacum by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The remaining EPSPS gene fragment (EPSPSc) fused to Ic (Ic-EPSPSc) was integrated into the chloroplast genome by homologous recombination. Western blot analysis of cell extracts from these plants showed a full-length EPSPS, demonstrating that the EPSPSn-In gene product migrated to the chloroplast and underwent trans-splicing. Furthermore, these transgenic plants displayed improved resistance to the herbicide N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate) when compared with wild-type N. tabacum.     

Abdominal tuberculosis in a children's hospital in Addis Ababa

A review of the clinical records of all patients with the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis, admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a ten year period was made. There were 57 patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, accounting for 0.22% of all admissions. Both sexes were nearly equally affected. In more than a quarter of the patients (30%), the diagnosis of tuberculosis was not considered at admission. Fever, weight loss, night sweating and abdominal pain were common presenting symptoms. The role of positive Mantoux and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as an aid to diagnosis were limited. The number of admitted patients with abdominal tuberculosis at ESCH is much lower than what has been reported from other African countries. The findings of the present study clearly indicate the need for a high index of clinical suspicion. Laparoscopic and peritoneal biopsy should be included in the diagnostic work up of patients suspected of having abdominal tuberculosis.     

脊髓脊膜膨出的手术治疗

目的 探讨脊髓脊膜膨出( MMC)的手术时机和治疗效果.方法 回顾性分析82例MMC患儿的临床资料.男38例,女44例;年龄1d ～7岁,平均1.4岁.MMC位于腰、骶部75例,位于颈椎部5例及位于胸椎部和胸腰部各1例,患儿均经相应部位X线正侧位片和MRI确诊,术前常规均行体感诱发电位和肌电图等相关神经电生理检查,全部患儿予手术治疗.术前术后均行尿动力学检查.结果 82例均行手术治疗,术后随访3 ～ 12个月,随访期复查患儿症状缓解,其中治愈28例,好转45例,无变化5例,恶化4例,总有效率89.1％.结论 常规脊膜膨出切除、椎管扩大探查、脊髓栓系松解和脊膜修补术是MMC目前唯一有效的治疗方法.